Today’s blog post marks the beginning of a four-part series where I will guide you through my design process from start to finish! Whether you’re a fellow crochet pattern designer seeking tips on the process or a curious follower interested in how my crochet patterns evolve from paper to three-dimensional designs, you’re in the right place! In Part 1 of this series, I will discuss how I find inspiration for my designs and how I lay the foundation for each project, ensuring that the design process flows as smoothly and effortlessly as possible. Follow along with me as I design a Chinese Money Plant!
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Finding Inspiration
The very first step in any design process is to find inspiration. This is one of the easiest and most enjoyable steps for me; however, I often have more ideas than time to crochet each one. Whether you are an amigurumi designer like I am, or you work in other areas of crochet design, there are numerous ways to find inspiration. Here are just a few methods that I use:
- Pinterest Search: Pinterest is one of my favorite search engines for finding inspiration! I've often searched for plants and flowers to spark ideas for my designs. You can really discover anything on Pinterest! However, it's important to be cautious about copying someone else's designs; this is a significant no-no in the design world.
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Google Search: Similar to Pinterest, Google is a great tool for finding inspiration. I often search for photos of plants to inspire me or plants I am interested in designing. Google is where I found inspiration for the Chinese Money Plant. I searched “Popular House Plants,” and the Chinese Money Plant was on the list in an article I found!
- Visiting Local Shops: I often find inspiration for my designs by visiting local garden centers and grocery stores. Sometimes I buy the plants and take them home—because who doesn’t need more plants? Other times, I simply take photos of things I want to incorporate into my designs.
- Explore Your Area: Exploring the nature around you at local parks, hiking trails, and even in your neighborhood can be a great source of inspiration. You never know what you will discover in nature, so make sure you have your camera ready! Even finding objects around your own home can help spark an idea. I have a plant blanket, a Christmas gift, featuring a Chinese Money Plant in its design!
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Traveling: I don’t know about you, but I love to travel! Traveling has introduced me to countless new design ideas that I might not have discovered had I never left home. Make the most of any vacation or holiday by seeking inspiration in nature during hikes or exploring local towns.
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Rough Drawing
You don't need to be an expert artist to sketch out a design idea. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the best at drawing. However, once a design concept is in your mind, creating a simple drawing can be very helpful for visualizing how your design will look. Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect! You don’t have to show the drawing to anyone if you don’t want to.
If drawing isn’t your thing and you're more comfortable with technology, you can opt to create a rough design using a computer. Personally, I find it easier to make a quick sketch with pencil and paper in under 15 minutes, but if you have the skills to use a design tool that helps you visualize and organize the elements of your design, feel free to go that route.
Think The Design Through
Before I even pick up my crochet hook, I spend time carefully considering my design idea after sketching it out. This process can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. I find that mentally preparing and organizing all the necessary pieces and parts before diving into the actual crochet work helps significantly reduce the need to frog (rip out) my design later. Sometimes, I even write out the pattern before I start creating; while this may be challenging for those new to pattern writing, experience can make it easier. Here’s what I recommend having on hand when preparing to crochet your design:
- A Place to Take Notes: You can use either pencil and paper or a Google Doc to jot down your notes. Personally, I prefer using Google Docs for writing my design and pattern ideas. It not only reduces paper usage but also makes it easier to transfer the wording to the final written pattern later. While it's not necessary to write your pattern word-for-word, having a rough idea of how you plan to create your design is helpful. Remember, you can always make changes along the way. Some helpful items to take note of include: materials, abbreviations, special stitches or techniques you plan to use, gauge, and a rough idea for rows/rounds for different elements of your design.
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Stitch Dictionaries: Stitch dictionaries are excellent resources for exploring new stitches and generating design ideas. I frequently consult stitch dictionaries to find new techniques that help me achieve specific elements in my designs. Stitch dictionaries can also help find the correct wording for stitches. If you’re in search of a stitch dictionary, Cherie from Sweet Bird Crochet has a comprehensive guide that can assist you! You can purchase the guide here: https://sweetbirdcrochet.com/product/ultimate-stitch-dictionary-guide/ and use the code, squibblescrochet for 10% off.
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Crochet Secrets From the Knotty Boss by Anna Leyzina: This book is not only a helpful guide for any crocheter, but it is especially valuable for those designing their own crochet patterns. It includes over 100 different tips! I found the section on amigurumi techniques particularly useful; it covers methods like the yarn under technique, embroidery, crochet eyes, and much more. This book is an invaluable resource to keep on your shelf! You can find this book on Amazon here!
Collecting Materials
We are on the verge of starting our crocheting project! Before we jump into crocheting, it’s essential to gather all the necessary materials for our design. Take a moment to look through your crafting supplies at home; you might have some yarn, hooks, or tools that will work perfectly for what you are making. If you find you need more items, consider visiting a local craft store or yarn shop where you can explore a variety of yarns in different colors, textures, and weights, as well as pick up any accessories you might need, like stitch markers or scissors.
Alternatively, if you prefer the convenience of shopping from home, many online retailers offer a wide selection of crochet supplies, so you can order everything you need with just a few clicks. Let’s ensure we have everything ready before we start crocheting! And don’t forget to take note of everything you use when creating your design! Here are some places I typically find materials for my designs:
Now that we have gathered inspiration for our design and established the foundation for our pattern, we can move on to the exciting part: crocheting our design! Stay tuned for Part 2 of Designing a Crochet Pattern, which will be released on January 29th!
FTC Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links, meaning when items are purchased through those links, I receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting me and my business!
